(* This is a provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only. The original text is in Japanese.)

Press Conference by Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura

Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2008, 9:21 a.m.
Place: In front of the Ministers' Room at the House

Main topics:

Earthquake in Western China
Issues related to Official Development Assistance (ODA)
Japan-US-Republic of Korea Trilateral Meeting on the Six-Party Talks

1. Earthquake in Western China

Minister:
Regarding the earthquake in China, quite a number of days have already passed, so we decided to dispatch a medical team today and make the rescue team return to Japan tomorrow by using the same charter flight. Unfortunately the rescue team was not able to rescue any survivors but the Government of Japan would like to extend the respect to the team members for their strenuous efforts which resulted in the uncovering of the bodies of 16 people through their hard work day and night. I am sure that they have also received the gratitude of the people and the Government of China. The medical team is scheduled to consist of 23 individuals.

Question:
What are your expectations for the medical team?

Minister:
Well, surely it is for medical care, therefore we are dispatching people with emergency medical treatment knowledge. I expect that they will be involved in providing treatment to the injured and that their efforts will help to save lives and will be beneficial to those with even non-life-threatening injuries.

Question:
What time will the medical team depart?

Minister:
The medical team will depart from Narita by a charter flight leaving at 18:25 and arrive at Chengdu at night of the same day.

Question:
Regarding the emergency rescue team which was dispatched after the earthquake, there are impressions that their departure was delayed significantly and that in fact there was a mismatching the location where they were dispatched, and that in the end they were not really able to fulfill their role in a meaningful way. What is your perspective on that?

Minister:
Given that this was the first time that China decided to accept an emergency rescue mission with as many as 60 people, I do think that although the decision was delayed and it would have been better if it had been made faster, it was still better that China did decide to accept the mission than if it had decided to refuse the mission. Still, it is true that the decision for the mission to be accepted to China was made as a result of significant discussions between the respective officials in the foreign ministries of two countries. Furthermore there were various matters to be determined between the local and central governments and I do believe that it took a lot of time for the central government to make its decision, and I think that it would have been better if the decision had been made quicker.

Question:
Tomorrow the rescue team will return to Japan. Is it correct to assume that it will return early in the morning tomorrow?

Minister:
They will be departing Chengdu at 1:50 a.m. tomorrow (local time), and they will be returning to Japan at 7:20 a.m. on May 21 (Japan time).

2. Issues related to Official Development Assistance (ODA)

Question:
A decision was made today to double the amount of Official Development Assistance to Africa. While there are difficulties in terms of the government's finances, how do you plan on realizing that goal?

Minister:
We will have to take measures for grant aid and technical cooperation within the budget. We will increase the amount of grant aid, technological cooperation, and yen loans as well. Regarding yen loans, in principle we do not extend yen loans to nations which have had past debts forgiven, but for nations which are expected to finish for repayment, we intend to take a flexible approach. It is hoped that these efforts will lead the way to private sector investments, and I do certainly hope that the total efforts extended by Japan both through the private and public sectors can lead to stimulating growth in Africa.

Question:
Regarding ODA, yesterday the Financial System Research Council put forward views opposing the calls for the increase in ODA. What are you thoughts on that?

Minister:
I assume that the Financial System Research Council is entrusted with the role of putting forth such an opinion. So they definitely restrain the increase of ODA whatever we announced. I do intend to humbly listen carefully to any significant message in their opinions. At the same time, a school building project, for example, would prove a remarkable difference, depending on whether the school would be destroyed by an earthquake or not. If the only school built with ODA from Japan would remain when an earthquake occurs, I think that it would be meaningful even if the costs are somewhat higher. While there is certainly a cost difference, we intend to give serious consideration to efforts to reduce the costs involved.

Related Information (Japan's ODA)

3. Japan-US-Republic of Korea Trilateral Meeting on the Six-Party Talks

Question:
As concerns North Korea, it appears that the Japan-US-Republic of Korea Trilateral Meeting on the Six-Party Talks has concluded its discussions. Have you been informed of the details of the discussions yet?

Minister:
I still have not yet received a detailed briefing on that matter, but I have received a report to the effect that it was a practical and significant meeting. I do intend to receive a detailed briefing soon.

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